Thursday, November 09, 2006

So I have a student, whose parents own a million dollar home. They live in the richest community in Ohio, and they live on the richest street in Ohio.

Wtf? WTF?!!!

The father makes more, in fifteen minutes, than I charge his son for TWO MONTHS of lessons.

And they're two months behind in paying me. They keep dropping off the son. We keep sending late notices, invoices, etc. Today I meet the mother at the door, hand her the invoice, and tell her that I haven't received a check and we're getting a bit behind. She takes the invoice, gives it a dismissive wave with her hand, and launches into a bunch of excuses about why her son hasn't done his assignment this week (for the sixth month in a row, btw). Before I know it, she's gone, he's still here, and I have no check.

GEEEEEEEEZZZUUUUUZZZZZ HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH KRINGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See, what I don't understand, is they have the money. Plenty of it.

And, what I don't understand, is that I would EMBARRASSED as all hell. I'd be tripping over myself, red-faced and apologizing. I'd feel horrible about it for DAYS. Months after, I'd be WAY early with my payment. And I damn well would hand over a check that instant, or I'd tell her that I'd back in the seven minutes it takes me to go home, get my checkbook, and bring her back a check. Better yet, I'd stop at the ATM and get cash.

So what do I do? I sit here with this kid, and I'm furious. Absolutely furious. I feel so disrespected and taken advantage of. But it's not the kids' fault.

And so because I'm supposed to be a self-sacrificing teacher who loves the kids more than I care about getting paid, I'm supposed to just sit here and take it? Just let myself be walked over?